Just in time for the 2015 CrossFit Games, Reebok has unveiled its newest CrossFit shoe — the Nano 5.0

Here are the details:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reebok celebrates five years of CrossFit partnership and innovation with launch of highly anticipated

Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0

TORONTO, ON – Reebok, the leaders in CrossFit® product innovation and engineering, has marked its five year anniversary as the official CrossFit footwear and apparel partner with the launch of Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 – a training shoe that features Kevlar® material for protection and durability.

Engineered specifically for the CrossFit athlete and developed in association with the CrossFit community, the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 features a number of updates making it the ultimate training shoe. Reebok continues its ongoing evolution in footwear for CrossFit with the introduction of Kevlar material throughout the upper of the shoe for increased durability and abrasion protection.

“We know how important it is for CrossFit gear to stand up to the rigors of constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity while not interfering with performance. We work very closely with Reebok and the CrossFit community on footwear and apparel that continues to develop and evolve as the boundaries of fitness are pushed,” said Steve Weiss, Corporate Development at CrossFit,Inc.

Specifically, Kevlar features the innovative 360° BulletCage built for added protection and designed specifically to help endure the most challenging and diverse CrossFit workouts of the day (WODs). It provides protection and durability with grip, traction and stability while staying true to CrossFit’s mandate that the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 is built on the empirical design spec of human movement.

In addition to the revolutionary addition of Kevlar material, the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 boasts a newly engineered anatomical heel counter and foot bed with an R55 platform for additional high rebound and cushioning. The Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 also offers traction working alongside a full rubber sole with MetaSplit flex groove and heightened RopePro+.

Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0

“As CrossFit workouts get tougher and CrossFit athletes get stronger – so too does the Reebok CrossFit Nano,” said Corinna Werkle, Head of Training at Reebok. “With the introduction of Kevlar material, we truly believe the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 is our toughest shoe yet and can withstand even the harshest, toughest WODs. At Reebok, we are hugely proud of our long-standing partnership with CrossFit; it has powered a huge range of innovative CrossFit apparel and footwear and the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 is the latest landmark addition to the category.”

To see the Reebok CrossFit Nano 5.0 in action, check out the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games taking place from July 22-26 in Carson, California and at games.crossfit.com. Watch incredible athletes from around the world competing for the crown of Fittest on Earth.

Reebok International Ltd., headquartered in Canton, MA, USA, is a leading worldwide designer, marketer and distributor of fitness and lifestyle footwear, apparel and equipment. An American-inspired global brand, Reebok is a pioneer in the sporting goods industry with a rich and storied heritage in running, training and fitness. Reebok is committed to helping consumers fulfil their potential and be “fit for life.” Reebok develops products, technologies and programming which enable consumers to live a healthy lifestyle and have fun doing it. Reebok connects with the fitness consumer wherever they are and however they choose to stay fit – whether it’s training, running, walking, dance, yoga or aerobics. Reebok Classics leverages the brand’s fitness heritage and represents the roots of the brand in the sports lifestyle market. A subsidiary of the adidas Group, Reebok operates under the multiple divisions of the Reebok brand, Reebok-CCM Hockey and the Sports Licensed Division. Reebok is the outfitter of the CrossFit Games, the official title sponsor of the Reebok Spartan Race, and exclusive apparel provider for Les Mills.

About CrossFit

CrossFit Inc. is the developer and provider of the CrossFit strength and conditioning program and a recognized worldwide leader in functional fitness. Founded by Greg Glassman and built on the foundations of constantly varied, high-intensity functional movements, education and collaborative competition, CrossFit-brand workouts develop strength and fitness while cultivating community and camaraderie in each of the more than 12,000 affiliated gyms in its global network. CrossFit Inc. is a leading accredited certificate issuer for physical-training professionals worldwide and offers specialty certificate programs in addition to its core curriculum. CrossFit Inc. publishes the CrossFit Journal, promotes physical fitness and cognitive health through the CrossFit Kids Foundation, and created and operates the CrossFit Games, an annual competition where elite athletes compete to be named the Fittest on Earth®.

So this happened at the recent grand opening of Edmonton’s newest GoodLife Fitness location …

… an impromptu posedown broke out between yours truly and David (Patch) Patchell-Evans, the CEO and founder of Canada’s largest chain of health clubs.

That was after I had the opportunity to work out with trainer Chris Laperle, who showed me a few tricks to get more out of my exercises.

Yes, indeed, fun times were had (as evidenced by my genuine ear-to-ear grin).

It all went down at GoodLife’s Edmonton Tamarack club at 2435 Maple Rd.

This brand new club brings the total number of GoodLife locations in Edmonton to three. That’s not counting two other Edmonton-area clubs — one in Sherwood Park and another in St. Albert.

And Patch tells me GoodLife’s westward expansion is only just starting to pick up steam. In fact, he promises several more openings throughout Alberta in the next year or so, including downtown Edmonton and Red Deer.

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, here’s a closer look at the London, Ont.-based company and Edmonton Tamarack …

• Virtual Fitness classes so you can do your favourite workouts any time that live classes are not scheduled

Over 115 different workouts to choose from including:

• Cycling Classes

• Strength Training

• Yoga

• Cardio/High Intensity

• Experienced and knowledgeable Personal Trainers

• Free Fitness Orientations

• Lounge area with Massage Chairs

• FIT FIX – 20 Minute Total Body Workout

• Stretching Area

• JUMP! Child Minding Services

• Modern Change Rooms

• Dry Cedar Saunas

• Towel Service

And here’s the press release …

GoodLife Fitness opens its third gym in Edmonton

The company’s 25th club in Alberta opens in Tamarack area of the city

[Edmonton, AB]— GoodLife Fitness is continuing to expand in Alberta with the opening of the new GoodLife Fitness Tamarack 24/7 club – the third GoodLife to come to Edmonton since 2012 and the 25th in Alberta. The company has announced plans to expand to 30 locations in the province by 2016.

“Edmonton is a hub for healthcare, with top-notch facilities that cater to the health and well-being of its citizens,” says David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans, Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness. “GoodLife complements that by giving Canadians the opportunity to live a fitter, healthier life.”

With 350 clubs across Canada, GoodLife Fitness is Canada’s largest fitness company. Over the past few years, it has been sharply focused on expanding its operations in Western Canada, particularly in Alberta. Earlier this week, GoodLife opened a club in Calgary’s Mount Royal area and in May it announced plans to open a 70,000 square foot club in Red Deer that will feature a GoodLife Fitness and a Fit4Less side-by-side. It will be the largest of GoodLife’s clubs in the province when it opens in 2016.

“We are proud of our Canadian roots and are constantly looking for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of Canadians in every province,” says Patch. “Alberta is thriving and vibrant, and Edmonton is huge part of that as a centre for culture, healthcare, and academics. We are excited to be able to continue expanding here.”

The GoodLife Fitness Edmonton Tamarack is a stand-alone 24,000+ square foot club. The club is co-ed and will be open 24/7, providing ultimate convenience for members. Amenities include dry cedar saunas, child minding and various free weights and strength training equipment.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with GoodLife opening its new state-of-the-art facility within Dream’s Tamarack neighbourhood in southeast Edmonton,” says Michael Cooper, President and CEO of Dream Unlimited Corporation. “Both GoodLife and Dream share a commitment to making the lives of Canadians better. Dream values the relationship with GoodLife Fitness and will continue to create opportunities for new facilities within our communities.”

GoodLife is the exclusive Canadian provider of best-in-class Les Mills group fitness programming, including JILLIAN MICHAELS BODYSHRED™, a new high-intensity interval training (HIIT) class designed by celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels. Virtual Fitness classes are also available with more than 115 workouts to choose from, creating optimal convenience for members who want to experience group fitness on their own schedule.

Other options can include one-on-one sessions with a Personal Trainer, or in small groups with Team Training Coaches and MYBootcamp to achieve personal fitness goals. The grand opening event invites members of the community to take part in exercise demonstrations to try out different Group Fitness classes and to see what GoodLife offers.

“Opening a third location here gives our members even more access to industry-leading, premiere fitness options,” says Patch. “The idea was to create something for everyone and I think we’ve done a pretty good job with that.”

The Club will employ approximately 40 people and officially opens for workouts on June 12 at 5:30 a.m. Go to www.goodlifefitness.com for a free 3-visit pass to try out the gym or visit the club for a free tour.

About GoodLife Fitness

Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness company in Canada and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 350 clubs from coast-to-coast, including 70 Énergie Cardio and ÉconoFitness Clubs in Quebec, approximately 13,000 employees and more than 1 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of one in 34 Canadians every day.

With the arrival of warm weather, many Canadians take their workout outside. Whether you’re a recreational runner or an Ironman competitor, nutrition plays a vital role in your performance. Five-time Olympian Hayley Wickenheiser has said, “Good nutrition accounts for 50 per cent of my performance, with 40 per cent being mental and 10 per cent being physical.”

For improving either endurance or strength training, carbohydrate is the key nutrient. Our bodies rely primarily on carbs to provide the fuel needed during aerobic, power and strength-based activities. If you are gluten-intolerant, like 12 per cent of Canadians, it is important to find gluten-free carb sources to keep your energy levels high and get the most out of your workouts.

Pre-Workout: Eating prior to physical activity allows us to exercise harder and longer, and recover more quickly. Include a small low-fat, moderate-protein, high-carbohydrate meal or snack 30-60 minutes prior to activity, such as a fruit smoothie, toast (gluten-free breads are readily available) and nut butter, or cereal and yogurt. Hayley’s favourite pre-game meal is chicken, quinoa, and steamed vegetables.

During: If you’re working out for less than 60 minutes, there is no need to have anything but water during your workout. For longer workouts, choose an electrolyte-based beverage containing carbohydrates. Small portions of gluten-free bagels or cereal bars can also be quick and effective. Dehydration causes fatigue and cramping, and impairs performance, so drinking adequate fluid before, during, and after exercise is important. While hydration needs vary from one person to the next, a good starting point is having 1-2 cups of fluid before, during, and after activity.

Post-Workout: Within 30-60 minutes after physical activity, the goal is to replace the water lost in sweat, restore the muscle fuel (carbohydrates), and promote muscle repair with protein. Great post-exercise meals and snacks include flavoured dairy, soy or almond milk, stir fry with lean meat, rice and veggies, a wrap with hummus and veggies, or trail mix.

A Registered Dietitian in Kelowna, B.C., Tristaca Curley is a contributor to www.glutenfree.com. She is a member of the Sport Nutrition Advisory Committee of Canada and can be found at www.fuelingwithfood.com.

Almond butter French toast

Almond Butter French Toast recipe

This dish can be whipped up within the 30-60 minute post-workout window when water and nutrients need to be replenished. Plus it’s gluten-free to accommodate a wide range of dietary lifestyles.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices Udi’s gluten-free Whole Grain Bread

• Oil or butter for pan

• 2 eggs

• 15 ml almond milk

• 5 ml almond extract

• Pinch of cinnamon

• 60 ml almond butter

• 60 ml maple syrup

• 250 ml strawberries (or any other berry of your choice)

Directions:

1. Whisk together the eggs, almond milk, almond extract and cinnamon.

2. Spread Almond Butter on 2 slices of the bread and top each with the remaining two slices to form sandwiches. Soak each sandwich in the egg mixture turning several times to completely coat.

3. Heat maple syrup and pour over the berries. Set aside.

4. Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over medium heat with butter or oil. Cook sandwiches in the hot pan until lightly toasted on both sides. Top each with half of the berry and syrup mixture.

About Cary

Cary Castagna is a certified personal trainer through Can-Fit-Pro and a former competitive bodybuilder. In seven years as a Sun Media fitness columnist, he has interviewed industry icons such as Jack LaLanne, Billy Blanks, Jake Steinfeld, Denise Austin, Tony Horton and Richard Simmons. His Keeping Fit column runs in more than 30 Sun Media newspapers across Canada.